ARLINGTON -- Elvis Andrus is easily one of the best ever among Rangers in executing the hit-and-run. He didn't get it done in the ninth inning on Saturday night and that only helped the Rangers as they walked off with a 2-1 victory over the Royals at Globe Life Park.
Andrus ended up driving home the winning run with a single off reliever Peter Moylan and the Rangers have opened this homestand with three straight wins over the Royals.
The win came on a night when Nick Martinez stepped in as an emergency starter and yielded just one run in seven innings.
"It feels amazing," Andrus said. "It's about winning, especially being able to win another series."
Rougned Odor, after just six hits in his previous 52 at-bats, opened the winning rally with a single off left-hander Travis Wood. Royals manager Ned Yost then brought in Moylan, a right-hander, to face Andrus.

Andrus showed bunt on the first pitch and took ball one. That's when manager Jeff Banister went with the hit-and run.
"We talked about it early in the game there would be situations, some hit-and-run opportunities," Banister said. "That situation came up late with an aggressive baserunner in Odor. We feel comfortable with him on the bases making good decisions and good reads. I feel comfortable with Elvis and the bat in his hand. He's a veteran hitter."
Odor broke and Andrus swung and missed at a tough sinker. But Odor beat the throw to second for a stolen base.

"I always tell guys in front of me, if it's a hit-and-run, try to steal second base," Andrus said. "If it's a nasty sinker, the catcher is going to have a hard time regrouping and making a good throw."
With a runner on second base and none out, Banister admitted the Rangers could have had Andrus try to bunt Odor to third.
"We could have gone a couple of different ways," Banister said. "But we felt comfortable with Elvis at the plate. One of our hottest hitters early ... there were a number of ways to move him over. Elvis is accomplished enough and has a good feel for the bat where we feel we had a number of options."
Andrus didn't want to try to bunt Moylan's sinker.
"Some guys are uncomfortable to bunt on and he is one of them," Andrus said. "I trust my swing more than the bunt there."
That was the right choice as Andrus lined a 2-2 slider into left field to bring home the winning run.